OpenAI smart speaker could dial up the creepiness with a camera to watch you
Source: Android Authority
Stephen Schenck / Android Authority
TL;DR
- OpenAI is reportedly dedicating more than 200 employees to its hardware projects, which include a pair of smart glasses, a smart lamp, and a smart speaker.
- The smart speaker is said to include a camera for personalization, better context awareness, and facial recognition.
- OpenAI’s smart speaker could be priced in the $200‑$300 range, putting it at the premium end of the segment.
OpenAI hardware projects
OpenAI is actively developing hardware products under the direction of former Apple designer Jony Ive. A report from The Information provides a glimpse of the planned form factors: smart glasses, a smart lamp, and a smart speaker. All are currently in the design and prototype phase, with no guarantee they will reach the consumer market.
Smart speaker details
- Launch window: Expected in early 2027, positioning it against Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod.
- Camera: Unlike most competitors, the speaker will include a camera to improve context awareness and enable facial‑recognition‑based purchase authentication.
- Microphone: An onboard microphone will capture nearby conversations for additional AI context, as described in the report.
- Audio focus: Sound quality is not the primary selling point; the emphasis is on AI‑driven interaction and contextual understanding.
Pricing and competition
The Information estimates a retail price between $200 and $300, placing the device above most Google and Amazon speakers but comparable to Apple’s full‑size HomePod ($299).
- Google & Amazon: Both already offer smart displays with cameras (Google Nest Hub Max).
- Google’s upcoming Home Speaker: Designed around Gemini, the AI model.
- Amazon Alexa Plus: An AI‑enhanced subscription tier for its voice assistant.
OpenAI’s approach appears to sit between these offerings, adding a camera to a traditional speaker form factor for extra AI capabilities.
Team and timeline
- Team size: More than 200 people are working on AI‑powered hardware devices.
- Product rollout: The smart speaker could launch as early as 2027; smart glasses and a smart lamp are expected later.
- Other rumored hardware: No confirmed details about the previously reported OpenAI earbuds.
Would you consider swapping your current Google or Amazon speaker for an OpenAI device?